This book has something of a rich history. My interest in literary and narrative criticism goes back to the period between 1979 and 1982 when I studied English Literature for my first degree at Cambridge University. During the three years of the course, I attempted to construct a Christian approach to literature. These three years were instrumental in providing me with a foundational understanding of literary theory, and in helping me to gain experience in the whole area of interdisciplinary studies. I am particularly grateful to my Roman Catholic friend and supervisor, Dr Eric Griffiths, for the acuteness of his expert tuition.

After a spell of teaching English and RE, I started my training for the ordained ministry in the Church of England at St John's College, Nottingham. There I did a shortened second degree in biblical studies. It was here that I started working on a new angle of my interdisciplinary methodology. Having studied literature from a biblical perspective at Cambridge University, I now started studying the Bible from a literary perspective at Nottingham University. I am deeply indebted to my dear friend Dr Andrew Lincoln for his teaching and support through these three years. Dr Lincoln was one of the very few biblical scholars in Great Britain interested in looking at the New Testament from a literary-critical perspective. Studying under him at this stage was indeed providential.